[Roxiesmama]

Originally Posted by speleogirl37

My father inlaw and brother inlaw just passed away from cancer...within about 2 months of each other...they meant more to me than anyone in my family!!! I got this in memory of them...

Angie - that purple ribbon and wings on your foot is beautiful! What an amazing tribute!

I have two tattoos, and I don't regret them per se, however, I do sort of regret the design on one of them.

I have a butterfly on my belly, about 3 inches to the left of my belly button. I got it when I was 19 and going through a time of fierce independence at college after growing up in a very strict household. To me it symbolizes an amazing time in my life when I really began discovering my true self.

I have a heart with the Italian flag colors and the phrase "La vita bella" on my back (not a tramp stamp). I got it after a terrible situation in my life that led to the end of my first marriage. Once I was able to enjoy my life again, I realized that I truly did have a beautiful life. Also, my best friend had designed the tattoo for me. The reasons I have regrets about this one are two-fold. I had to have the Italian colors re-inked not more than a year after the original tat was done. The colors just didn't seem to be "holding" and the ink looks faded. The second reason is because people keep telling me the wording is wrong...that it actually says "The life beautiful" instead of "The beautiful life". I had done research on this (including asking actual Italian people), and they had told me either way was acceptable. Even if it is phrased incorrectly, it still means the same thing to me.

Whew, sorry, that got long-winded. I love the idea of the paw prints, and I'm sure I will be doing something along those lines for my next ink. The two places where I was inked (my belly and my back), were not particularly painful at all. I was actually surprised it didn't hurt more. In my line of work I have to make sure none of my tats are visible. I have no idea where my next one will go.